Gilman Home Inc in Alton, NH

Pros

• Ruben is a great guy.
• Ruben always has an answer to any question.
• The store offers excellent service and a wide variety of products.
• The staff are very friendly and helpful.
• They provide an awesome small-town feel and have everything customers need.
• Ruben is always very helpful and the staff are knowledgeable.
• They are a local business that supports the community.
• The store is a no-frills, honest hardware store.
• Ruben and the staff help with any issue.
• The staff provide precise, practical guidance for repairs.
• The staff are extremely nice.
• The store has a great selection of hard-to-find hardware, with knowledgeable staff.
• The independent hardware store offers competitive prices.
• The crew is awesome.

Cons

• Somehow they creepily always have what I need.

Review

Gilman Home Inc. is best suited for locally minded homeowners, DIY enthusiasts, and small contractors in Alton who value personal attention, rapid problem-solving, and a town-focused retail experience. The store embodies a genuine, old-fashioned hardware vibe with staff who know the area, the neighbors, and what projects tend to come up in a small community. For seniors managing ongoing home maintenance or garden work, this shop acts as a trusted partner - easy to access, with a friendly, knowledgeable crew and a familiarity that speeds up fixes and project planning.

Those considering alternatives are wise to look at bigger, national hardware chains or broad online retailers if the priority is the largest possible product catalog or the absolute lowest per-item price. Gilman's size naturally means a smaller footprint and, by design, less floor space for a sprawling inventory. While the selection is substantial and eclectic, it doesn't pretend to match the scale of HD or Lowes. For shoppers who insist on a near-limitless aisle of every conceivable part, or highly uniform pricing across a national network, the appeal of Gilman's local focus fades.

The store's strongest advantages offset the main drawbacks in practical, real-world ways. Customer service is consistently described as outstanding: staff are described as friendly, patient, and exceptionally knowledgeable, with Ruben frequently singled out for dependable expertise and readiness to help with questions or special requests. The ability to source hard-to-find items, arrange timely orders, and provide hands-on guidance on installations - sometimes with a same-day turnaround or a clear plan - delivers a level of assurance that generalized chains rarely match. The local ownership and community-first approach translate into tangible benefits, such as short lead times on custom needs and the sense that assistance continues long after the purchase.

Equally compelling are the concrete services that extend beyond product sales. The shop offers practical conveniences - glass cutting, propane, and even U-Haul rentals - creating a one-stop feel for many DIY tasks. Parking is described as convenient, with front-of-store access that eases quick trips for seniors or caregivers juggling multiple errands. Staff members' willingness to go the extra mile is highlighted repeatedly, from helping customers troubleshoot a problem to staying late to assist with cleanup after a town-wide incident. These experiences reinforce a perception of reliability and community commitment that can trump a wider catalog when time, trust, and local know-how matter most.

Nevertheless, there are legitimate trade-offs to consider. The catalog won't match the breadth found at the biggest chains, which means occasional trips to alternatives may still be necessary for highly specialized or bulk purchases. While the team can order items and usually deliver within a couple of days, the process isn't instantaneous and requires some planning, especially for larger renovations or projects with tight timelines. For households that rely heavily on digital catalogs or next-day delivery, Gilman's smaller-scale operations may feel less convenient, though this is more than offset for those who prize hands-on, informed service and a strong local economy.

In the end, the decision hinges on value placed in local expertise, personal service, and community loyalty. Gilman Home Inc. stands out as a dependable partner for seniors managing home repairs, garden projects, and small-scale renovations where trusted guidance, responsive problem-solving, and rapid access to a broad, locally curated selection matter as much as price. If the priority is maximum selection, lowest per-item cost, or seamless online ordering, alternatives exist; if the aim is straightforward access to skilled advice, quick sourcing of uncommon parts, and a partner who treats every project as part of the town's fabric, Gilman Home Inc. earns its spot. Engage with Ruben or the team for project planning, leverage their order-fulfillment skills, and lean into the local advantages that keep this shop not just in business, but integral to everyday life in Alton.

This area of Alton, New Hampshire offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors. With multiple restaurants, cafes, and pharmacies located within a few miles, residents have easy access to dining options and healthcare providers. Additionally, there are several places of worship nearby for spiritual support and community engagement. For recreational activities, there are parks and a hospital in close proximity for any medical needs. The transportation options include an ice runway for convenient travel during the winter months. Overall, this part of Alton provides a balanced mix of essential services and opportunities for seniors looking to settle in a peaceful and well-equipped neighborhood.

Transportation

• B18 Alton Bay Ice Runway (1 miles)

Restaurants

• Shibley's At The Pier (1.2 miles)
• Pop's Clam Shell (1.2 miles)
• Shibley's Soft & Hard Ice Cream (1.2 miles)
• Bun 'N Bowl (2.1 miles)
• McDonald's (2.2 miles)
• Johnsons's Seafood & Steak (4.5 miles)
• East of Suez (5.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Community Church Of Alton (2 miles)
• Grace Point Church (6.9 miles)
• Nute Ridge Bible Chapel Parsonage (9.5 miles)
• Sumitomo Machinery Corporation Of America (10.2 miles)
• The Episcopal Church of St John the Baptist (10.8 miles)
• Wakefield Church of Nazarene (11.2 miles)
• St André Bessette Parish (12.7 miles)

Physicians

• Alton Family Medicine (2 miles)
• Alton Family Medicine (2.1 miles)
• Rust Pond Family Medicine (5.8 miles)
• Adult & Pediatric Dermatology, PC (6 miles)
• Internal Medicine Of Wolfeboro (6.8 miles)
• Wolfeboro Pediatrics (6.8 miles)
• Wolfeboro Family Medicine (6.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Huggins Hospital (6.9 miles)
• Thomas Lynn (7.2 miles)
• Lakes Region General Hospital North 2/Cardiac (12.6 miles)

Cafes

• North Main Cafe (7 miles)
• Tumbledown Cafe (10.8 miles)
• Winnepesaukee Bay Gulls 2 (11.3 miles)
• Wayfarer Coffee Lakeport (13 miles)
• Aroma Joe's Coffee (13.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (7.1 miles)
• Care Pharmacy (7.2 miles)
• Rite Aid (10 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (12.5 miles)
• Hannaford Pharmacy (12.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (12.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (12.8 miles)

Parks

• Foss Field (7.1 miles)
• Guy Foss Memorial Recreation Area (7.2 miles)
• Wentworth State Park (9.5 miles)
• Town of Farmington (11.6 miles)